On a serious note, feel bad that such a great part of the world is turning into a place to avoid. If it was me riding solo i would take the chances but my wife/ kids not worth the try. This is why I'm asking for people's views of the situation on the ground.[/QUOTE]

GSAragazzi, I won't try to minimize the events in Tres Marias but per the WaPo article, the agents had been traveling back and forth to the camp many times and they were specifically targeted. A solo rider or even a small group is likely not going to be noticed if they are passing through an area. No one is going to pay some bad cops to go after a few turistas. But in the final analysis, you must make your own assessments and use your own judgement about the risks to you and your family. But please make them based not only on the facts of this situation (facts often being a hard thing to come by in Mexico) but on the broader picture of how the violence happens and where.

As the article says, the cartels have lost their top guys and the second and third tier guys who have taken over are not as business savvy and don't understand that, as Don Corleone said, blood costs money.

I'm fortunate to be in a very safe area in the very safe state of Sonora.

Hey thanks for the clarification! I feel much better now knowing that it was Federales bullets and not Army! What a relief, those hurt way less plus have a number of bullet fired to kill ratio way lower than the Army's! Oh yeah, good to know the car was grey not gold too. That makes a big difference, never mind that the Embassy only uses GM and black as standard. but you are right MikeMike I should not have posted w/o knowing all the facts, all I knew was from word of mouth. My bad.

Schizz, the big bad gringo man with the special warfare badge made me cry!

Hey, it's all good! Maybe if he comes down he can meet mi Tia "Tuchi".

And in other news...photo up date from the 1st Annual Rally La Ruta del Cafe in La Esperanza coming up.
Craneguy and I are going to make the evening news out of Xalapa.

Andres and Arte did a helluva job along with all the great people in La Esperanza to put on a really good motorcycle event!

Schizz, the big bad gringo man with the special warfare badge made me cry!

Hey, it's all good! Maybe if he comes down he can meet mi Tia "Tuchi".

And in other news...photo up date from the 1st Annual Rally La Ruta del Cafe in La Esperanza coming up.
Craneguy and I are going to make the evening news out of Xalapa.

Andres and Arte did a helluva job along with all the great people in La Esperanza to put on a really good motorcycle event!

Really a fantastic day. I know Mexico pretty well now but that had to be the friendliest group of people I've EVER met!

Looks like there's going to be another media outlet we can't trust. The interview is with a brit and a canuck and the canuck does all the talking. Talk about slanted reporting! :-D

I won't hear anything bad said about the mexican people. Take out the asshole element (as with all countries) and they and their roads, food and honest hospitality make this a place that shouldn't be avoided. Hell, we were 100 miles from anywhere and everyone even spoke some English!

Get on your bikes and ride people and call us when you get here!

__________________
Young enough to think I can. Old enough to know I shouldn't. Stupid enough to do it anyway
'13 Duc Multi GT, '10 Vstrom 1k, '10 705cc KLR

My girlfriend and I have just traveled from A. Prieta down to Moctezuma, Son. on some really nice Sierra roads. No problems, not even a mean look have we received. We were going to stay at Turkey Creek's sweet hotelito but found ourselves on the wrong side of some pretty big Sierra late in the day. We are almost certainly the only gringo in this little pueblo and I like it. Cold Pacificos in a plastic bag with hielo.

Really a fantastic day. I know Mexico pretty well now but that had to be the friendliest group of people I've EVER met!

Looks like there's going to be another media outlet we can't trust. The interview is with a brit and a canuck and the canuck does all the talking. Talk about slanted reporting! :-D

I won't hear anything bad said about the mexican people. Take out the asshole element (as with all countries) and they and their roads, food and honest hospitality make this a place that shouldn't be avoided. Hell, we were 100 miles from anywhere and everyone even spoke some English!

Ok, some early pics from the rally.
I need to mention that the people in La Esperanza are among the most kind, generous, and truly warm folks you will find in all of Mexico. They make their village proud!
It was good to meet up with Andres again, and great to meet Arte and the boys from up north. All really good guys and great riders!
The morning breakfast was cooked up by the local ladies, eggs with a chile salsa que no tienen mama!, beans, and fresh homemade tortillas.
It is worth going to La Esperanza just for the coffee, too. Some of the best in Mexico and produced by the relatives of Andres, a family with a century of experience.
It's called "Greenland" for a reason, as you will see.
I am sure you'll see more pics when Arte and Andres get back, they were leaving tonight after the rally. Hardcore guys, doing the rally and then riding out of town and back home. If you know the area, you know these guys can ride.
I won't spoil the finishing order, I'll let Arte let you know. This was a benefit event for the local school, a really good cause. Real good, fun, party atmosphere and I know that the Craneguy and I will be at the next one for sure and we'll be bringing more people next time.

Start line was beside the rec center. Notice the blue sky, unlike the previous two days of rain! Today was warm and sunny.

Good turn out of people from different parts of the state and pretty much the whole village.

The people below are discussing CraneGuy's refusal to start from the pit beside the rec center.
He couldn't be convinced. LOL!

Why they call it Greenland
Somewhere by those mountains 4 wheelers, bikes, two up 4 wheelers, you name it, were jockeying for position
for close to 2 hours.

A flashy CraneGuy stops to "reflect" for a moment.

Unfortunately, we both finished out of the running. Two little lambs who have lost their way. "Follow me, Steve,
I know the route". "But Mike, the road just seems to end in those trees". "Well, it didn't 3 years ago"!

Every time I go to La Esperanza I spot interesting wildlife. One year it was a Jaguarondi, another year it was a Yorkshireman on a Harley, and this year it was a camel.

The above pic prompted CraneGuy to explain "50 Shades of Gray" as practiced in certain locales he has worked in.

What's inside that bag is pure magic!

Thanks Andres (who sacrificed his appendix) and Arte who enjoyed the Pepito and Sarita joke!

Schizz, the big bad gringo man with the special warfare badge made me cry!

Hey, it's all good! Maybe if he comes down he can meet mi Tia "Tuchi".

And in other news...photo up date from the 1st Annual Rally La Ruta del Cafe in La Esperanza coming up.
Craneguy and I are going to make the evening news out of Xalapa.

Andres and Arte did a helluva job along with all the great people in La Esperanza to put on a really good motorcycle event!

Yep, about the level of hospitality as I expected. I should too introduce you to my cousin Ben. Funny last name Tuchi something to do with a Madre who's 1st name is Chinga (she must be Chinese or something'). Something like Ben (cousin) Tuchi (last name) Mrs Chinga (someone's Madre).
Those a gret picks and clearly a great ride. Trying to book a bike in DF but no dice. I can only find singles and I really want something larger. Any leads?
Enjoy the Joe in good health.